3D microtissues to model infarction injury and methods preparing and using the same

These cardiac microtissues mimic the presentation of infarct injuries in individuals with cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack or stroke, allowing for a model to study pathogenesis and drug development for injuries caused by cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, accounting for more than 17.6 million deaths in 2016. While incidences of cardiovascular disease are on the rise globally, human organoid systems have largely focused on modeling genetic disease, rather than tissue-level pathology, such as heart attack or stroke. This speaks to a need for a human infarction model for drug development and disease progression research. Where previous models relied on 2D multicellular systems, or drug-induced oxygen depletion, this method utilizes upstream stimuli to create and control the formation of the tissue injury. Clemson University researchers have developed a method for producing organoids that accurately mimic cardiovascular disease injury at the 3D tissue level.